2011 Mugello MotoGP: Race Results

The 2011 MotoGP Championship headed to Italy this weekend for the Gran Premio d’Italia at Mugello, round eight of 18 in the series.

Starting from his fifth pole position of 2011 MotoGP, Repsol Honda’s Casey Stoner lead the 16-rider MotoGP grid (short Pramac Ducati’s Loris Capirossi) into turn one. And for the first few laps it looked as if Stoner would have another run-away win, having more than a two-second lead.

But with nine laps remaining, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo began gaining on Stoner. And with six to go, Lorenzo caught and passed Stoner, taking his second win of the 2011 MotoGP Championship (first in Jerez).

On the final lap, Stoner would be passed once again, this time by teammate Andrea Dovizioso. Stoner would have to settle for third.

With his win, Lorenzo chipped away at Stoner’s lead in the overall championship. Stoner now has 152 MotoGP points, 19 ahead of Lorenzo. Dovizioso remains in third with 119 points.

As these three battled up front, behind Yamaha Factory Racing’s Ben Spies and San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Marco Simoncelli swapped positions a few times. But Spies would out-brake Simoncelli, taking fourth.

But with 11 to go, Rossi took sixth from Barbera, leaving the Spainard a seventh-place finish. Last year’s winner Pedrosa took eight. Rounding out the top 10 were Edwards and Ducati Team’s Nicky Hayden.

The only rider to not finish Sunday’s Mugello MotoGP was Cal Crutchlow. The Brit had front-tire issues on his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 M1, similar issues plagued him last weekend at Assen.

The MotoGP Championship has a one-week break before continuing at Sachsenring in Germany July 14.